Alternative AutosNPR's Joe Palca reports on the announcement today that a new type of electric car technology has been developed -- one that is supplemented by gasoline. The federal Energy Department and a private firm developed the new technology, which extracts hydrogen from gasoline and converts it to electricity. The developers claim that the technology would result in cars that are virtually pollution-free. But there is no actual car yet -- automakers say a combination gasoline-electric car won't be available for another decade.

Alternative Autos

Alternative Autos

Alternative Autos

NPR's Joe Palca reports on the announcement today that a new type of electric car technology has been developed — one that is supplemented by gasoline. The federal Energy Department and a private firm developed the new technology, which extracts hydrogen from gasoline and converts it to electricity. The developers claim that the technology would result in cars that are virtually pollution-free. But there is no actual car yet — automakers say a combination gasoline-electric car won't be available for another decade.